Suspension Adjustment

you mean the preload?

cheeken said:

you mean the preload?

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Since that is the only adjustment I would assume so.

cheeken said:

you mean the preload?

Click to expand...

Yeah...Just didn't know if anyone has played around with this yet and if it made that much difference. I know that on previous bikes the stock suspension while it "said" it was adjustable it really didn't make that big of a difference.

rear preload

Please visit the ctx700forum.
We have had extensive "discussion" regarding adjustment and finally agreed that one size does not fit all. Yes it is adjustable and yes it does help. I weigh 175 lbs and have it adjusted to max preload. On the 700 there was NO Preload at all to lower the seat height and accommodate VERY light riders.

Dave (santacruiser)

Clarification
The 700 was delivered with NO Preload. With no preload the bike was lower to the ground and accommodated smaller and lighter riders. The dealer and the shop manual said not adjustable and the lock ring on the adjustment was so tight that it had to be broken loose with a hammer and punch or chisel.
Dave (santacruiser)

I've put mine up two "points" !? (you know what I mean) and it made a difference. My wife complained, that, on bumpy roads, (here is where my english knowledge lacks ) the rear hits here into the spine!? After the amendment it was much better.

Just to chime in: I adjusted the preload to its stiffest setting (because I am a big guy) and LOVE the difference it made. No more wallowing in turns or re-bounces from potholes. I got a cheapy adjuster wrench from Amazon, and looked at the manual... Easy peasy. Hardest part for me was putting the bags back on, but that was because I wasn't paying attention when I took them off and didn't push them onto the frame far enough.

So my ? Is from 1-5 which will lower the seat the most?

heariam said:

So my ? Is from 1-5 which will lower the seat the most?

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Adjusting the preload won't change the seat height -- until there's actually weight on it, but even then I think the height difference is negligible. All the adjustment does is make the spring think it has more compression on it than it does. 1 is the 'softest' setting.

Interesting. I'm going to look into this. With the wife and myself on the bike this might help with the rough roads around here.

If using the Honda wrench (which is inexpensive) you do not need to remove bags because of the offset shape. But you can only make one step adjust/click at a time. Quick and easy for sure vs hassling with bags as some think is needed.

A note on the Honda tool, that I think was mentioned elsewhere in older threads: it's made of uncoated metal that will scratch the paint of your shocks if you're not extremely careful. Also, and I don't know how the heck I did this, on a trip back in July I somehow managed to dent one of my shocks using the tool when the shock didn't want to rotate and I pushed hard.

I never had this trouble using a rubber strap wrench, so honestly it really irritates me that moving to using the Honda tool, which I thought would be "more appropriate", actually damaged my shock. The dent doesn't seem to affect function in any way, it just irritates me.

I'd advised against buying Honda's tool for this. If you really must have it, I'd consider giving it a good coat of Plasti-Dip or taking other measures to ensure it doesn't scratch up your shocks. Maybe a ring of electrical tape around the adjustment hole area or something.

Jeff

Never had this problem with the tool. I guess I just be sure to get the pins of the tool into the holes in the cylinder and make sure to note where on the scale it already is and also I'm very careful about how I use it to avoid any scratching. Just me on all that.

Is there a part number for the correct suspension adjustment wrench ? please.

neilwest said:

Is there a part number for the correct suspension adjustment wrench ? please.

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See post number 5 in THIS THREAD. There also some details on using that tool that works best for me. YMMV. Some members have found that if the saddlebags are removed the shocks can be adjusted by hand, easier if the bike is on a center stand. Others have used a strap wrench or found that a spanner tool they already have works. Since I never remove my bags unless maintenance being done I just used the tool. Actually, I set it and forget it once I found I like where I have it.

I now have the magic wrench to adjust the preload, but searched the forum and nobody mentioned which way to turn each shock, is it clockwise for one and counter-clockwise for another side ? I did not get a dentist mirror, but could to see the tag/number, but thought if it was simple, to ask here

neilwest said:

Is there a part number for the correct suspension adjustment wrench ? please.

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Part number 89202-MJN-A00 $9.98 at Hondapartsnation.com
Honda OEM parts; Honda Motorcycle Parts; 2014 parts; CTX1300; tools. item 6

neilwest said:

I now have the magic wrench to adjust the preload, but searched the forum and nobody mentioned which way to turn each shock, is it clockwise for one and counter-clockwise for another side ? I did not get a dentist mirror, but could to see the tag/number, but thought if it was simple, to ask here

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Adjusted by turning clockwise and could see the 5 pointing forward.
Took a backroads ride, tracks, bumpy choppy roads and handled much better at a 5 setting. 6ft 290lbs. Originally was set on 1 from the factory, major difference.:520:

Mine was originally set on 1 and I found it perfect.
But when riding two up my passenger complained about bottoming and pain in the back.
My Canadian deluxe came with the wrench and moved shocks to position 2 a lot less complaints from passenger.